Why You Should Go Barefoot And Eat With Your Hands

"My friend and I have this 'shoe-fork' theory of modern life," says Martin Reynolds, who hasn't worn shoes in months aside from an 18-hour round trip from Costa Rica to Nicaragua for a visa renewal.

My husband Kiran and I, walking alongside Martin on the beach at sunset, raise our eyebrows. "Go on?"

His long, curly blond hair tossing in the ocean breeze, Martin explains. "We wear shoes, rather than walking barefoot on the earth. We use forks, rather than eating with our hands. Basically, we're always putting a layer between ourselves and the world. Not that those things don't have a purpose at times...."

The 24-year-old surf instructor from England, who currently resides in Santa Teresa with his girlfriend (and my fitness coach) Gem Yates, is wise beyond his years. Kiran and I have been hanging out a lot with Gem and Martin since arriving here on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula two weeks ago. We are taking a three-month break from LA to follow our dreams, writing a sci-fi/fantasy trilogy together while also enjoying surfing, eating well, and the simple life in this small coastal community.

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